Wire rope lubrication device for a crane

ABSTRACT

Lubrication devices for lubricating wire rope on a crane. Spray nozzles may be permanently mounted to the multi-sheaved wire block assemblies. A controller and oil supply located near the base of the crane are used to control and deliver oil to the spray nozzles. A telescopic spray unit is used to lubricate the vertical stationary wire rope. A crawler that rides on the wire rope is used to lubricate the stationary wire rope between the anchor point and the first sheave of the block assembly. Improved clamshell units are used to lubricate the wire rope between the drums storing wire rope and the first sheave.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is generally related to the lubrication of wire ropes andmore particularly to the in situ lubrication of wire ropes on cranes.

2. General Background

Wire rope is a flexible, tough, complex, and versatile mechanical powertransmission member made up of numerous individual wires. During normaloperation these wires are subject to torsion, bending, tension, andcompression stresses. To achieve maximum performance and life,lubrication of the wire rope structure must be maintained so thatcoordinated sliding action between individual wires permits mostfavorable distribution of these stresses. Good lubrication offersprotection against corrosion and minimizes metal-to-metal contactbetween individual wires while reducing wear on the rope and on the drumand sheaves over which it operates.

Wire rope used on cranes typically is pre-lubed by the manufacturer witha base lubricant. Typically, this is a thick lubricant with very highviscosity (10 to 30,000 SUS) that provides good protection duringstorage. However, to perform properly, a wire rope must also be fieldlubricated periodically. For this post-lube application a lighterviscosity oil such as 150 SUS must be applied to the rope because,during operation, tensions in the rope and pressure encountered whileoperating over sheaves and drums all work toward forcing the originallubricant to the rope surface. New oil is needed to counteract thataction.

Field lubrication of wire rope has traditionally been done by one ormore methods. A stationary device may be positioned such that itsurrounds the wire rope in a continuous bath and lubricates the rope asit moves through the device. Lubricant may be dripped or poured on thewire rope and the excess then wiped off. Lubricant may be swabbed orpainted on the wire rope. Some of these operations must be donemanually.

The nature of large cranes, especially those used on derrick barges foroffshore work, precludes the use of most of the current lubricationmethods for several reasons. Large cranes have miles of wire rope, someof which moves in excess of one hundred feet per minute. Cranes achievea mechanical advantage by the use of multi-sheaved wire rope blockassemblies. This creates numerous closely spaced wire loops, which makein-situ lubrication very difficult. Conventional wire rope lubricatorsare not well suited to address a plurality of closely spaced wires dueto the large size of the lubricators and their inability to operate inhands-off mode (they require constant attention and adjustment). Currentlubrication devices are not designed for a plurality of wire ropes likethe ones present in a multi-sheaved wire rope assembly. Currentlubrication devices can not be installed and maintained in inaccessiblelocations like the boom of a derrick crane or the main block of amulti-sheaved hoist. Current lubrication devices are typicallystationary but rely on relative motion between wire and lubricator. Onesuch device is the pressurized clamshell lubricator. Pressurizedclamshell lubricators have a split-housing chamber with round openingsin their axial direction. The wire rope is fed through the axialopenings and bathed in lubricant. Current clamshell units havedisadvantages. They require a lot of time to set up and take down. Also,they must be removed during normal crane operation. Bathing the wirerope in lubricant tends to use excess lubricant that is not required.This wastes lubricant and causes pollution problems. In a crane,portions of the wire rope are stationary once installed. Thus, astationary lubrication device is ineffective for those portions of wirerope.

It can be seen that the current state of the art does not address allneeds in lubricating wire rope on cranes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention allows for lubrication of the entire length of wire ropein a crane after wire is installed. This is done with the variousdevices that are described herein. Spray nozzles may be permanentlymounted to the multi-sheaved wire block assemblies. A controller and oilsupply located near the base of the crane are used to control anddeliver oil to the spray nozzles. A telescopic spray unit is used tolubricate the vertical stationary wire rope. A crawler that rides on thewire rope is used to lubricate the stationary wire rope between theanchor point and the first sheave of the block assembly. Improvedclamshell units are used to lubricate the wire rope between the drumsstoring wire rope and the first sheave.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention reference should be made to the following description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts aregiven like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a crane on a barge.

FIG. 2 illustrates a spray nozzle mounted on a sheave block.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the spray nozzle arrangement.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a manual lubricating device.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a crawler lubrication device.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the crawler device being installed on a wirerope.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the crawler device installed on a wire rope.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of an improved clamshell lubricatingdevice.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cutaway view of the clamshell device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the area indicated in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 indicates a typical crane 10 on abarge 12. Wire spools 14 hold a supply of wire rope 16 that is threadedaround a series of pulleys 18, a boom sheave block 20, and a hoistsheave block 22. The sheave blocks typically are multi-sheave units thatrequire multiple wraps of the wire rope.

A wire rope lubrication apparatus provided for the wire rope at thesheave blocks is generally comprised of spray nozzles 24, a controller26, an oil supply 28, an air/oil line 30, and flow control means 32.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the apparatus. A pump 34 directs oilfrom the oil supply 28 into the oil line 30 a. A compressed air source36 supplies compressed air to the air line 30 b through air filter 38.Flow controls 32 are comprised of a liquid pressure regulator 40, oilfilter 42, shut-off valves 44, air pressure regulators 46, and solenoidvalves 48. Shut-off valves 44 are used to block the flow of fluidsduring preventive maintenance operations. Solenoid valves 48 activatethe spray nozzle arrangement to spray lubricant on the wire rope throughthe nozzles 24.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the mounting of the spray nozzle 24 on a sheaveblock 20 and a detail view of the spray nozzle arrangement. An atomizingnozzle 50 is housed in a bracket 52 mounted on the sheave block 20. Lowpressure air from line 54 is used to atomize lubricant delivered throughlubricant line 56. A high pressure air line 58 is used to activate apiston (not shown) in a cylinder that cleans the orifice of theatomizing nozzle 50. Although only one spray nozzle arrangement is shownand described, it should be understood that a plurality of spray nozzlearrangements may be provided to accommodate all wraps of the wire rope16 around the multiple sheaves of the block.

In operation, an operator uses the controller 26 as necessary to directlubricant to the wire rope on the sheave blocks.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a manual wire rope lubricating device 60 thatis particularly suitable for lubricating the vertical stationary wireropes 62 (at the anchor point of a block) that can not be lubricated byin-line lubrication devices. Lubricating device 60 is comprised of anatomizing nozzle 50 mounted in a body 64. Body 64 is provided with aplurality of concave wheels 66 either rotatably mounted therein orlocked to function as skids. Wheels 66 are sized to be received on thestationary wire rope 62 to provide guidance and keep the nozzle 50 atthe proper attitude and location. One end of the body 64 is providedwith a hinged, spring loaded shroud 68 to provide for ease of placing onthe wire rope 62. A telescoping handle 70 is pivotally attached at 72 asillustrated. Oil and air are supplied to the nozzle 50 via line 74. Oiland air can be supplied with a pressurized canister not shown havingboth fluids. Alternatively, air can be supplied with a conventionalcompressor and oil supplied by a positive displacement pump. Fluidpressure regulators will be mounted near the source. An operator opensthe hinged shroud 68, places the wheels 66 against the wire rope 62,closes the shroud 68, turns on the air and oil supply and then uses thehandle to move the device along the length of wire rope 62. The oildischarge from the nozzle lubricates the wire rope. The shroud 68captures excess oil and swirls the atomized oil around the wire rope 62.

A portion of the wire rope that is used by cranes with multi-sheavedblock assemblies never moves in relation to the sheaves or the rest ofthe structure. This section comprises the wire rope that is locatedbetween the anchor point and the first sheave of the block assembly.This section of wire rope is indicated by numeral 76 in FIG. 1. FIG. 7illustrates a crawler lubricating device 78 particularly suited to thissection of wire rope.

As seen in FIGS. 7-9 the crawler lubricating device 78 is generallycomprised of a body formed from two halves 80 a,b, a plurality of wheels82 either rotatably mounted or locked as skids in the body, andatomizing spray nozzles 84. The two body halves 80 a,b are attachedtogether by a hinge 86 to allow for quick installation over a wire rope76. Once the crawler is placed over the wire rope 76, the body is lockedover the wire rope with a locking pin 88 to prevent the crawler fromfalling during the lubrication phase.

The wheels 82 are concave and sized to receive the wire rope 76 to belubricated. The wheels 82, as shaped, will roll or skid on the wire rope76 regardless of orientation with respect to gravity.

The atomizing spray nozzles 84 are similar to those described above inthat both air and oil are used simultaneously to create a pressurizedfog of lubricant fluid. The nozzles 84 are mounted and positioned on thebody 80 a,b so as to direct the atomized oil toward the wire rope 76 asthe crawler moves along the wire rope. An air line 90 and oil line 92are mounted on the body 80 a,b and in fluid communication with thenozzles 84. The air and oil lines are in communication with an airsupply and oil supply not shown. An air pressure regulator 94 and oilpressure regulator 96 are mounted on the body 80 a,b for adjusting theatomized spray as necessary. By mounting here, the fluid pressures areautomatically compensated for changes in elevation, assuring constantfluid flow.

A shroud 98 may be provided to capture excess oil and to swirl theatomized oil around the wire rope 76. The shroud is formed from twoportions attached to each body portion 80 a,b.

The crawler 78 can be pulled with a flexible cable attached to an airtugger or it can be pulled manually by an operator located on theopposite end of the multi-sheaved block assembly.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate an improved clamshell lubricating device 100 thatis generally comprised of a body formed from two halves 102 a,b andatomizing spray nozzles 104.

The two body halves 102 a,b are attached together by a hinge 106 toallow for quick installation over a wire rope 16. The body halves areheld in the closed position over the wire rope by bolts or screws 108threaded through flanges on the body halves. The body 102 is open ateach end to allow passage of the wire rope 16 therethrough.

A plurality of atomizing spray nozzles 104 are mounted in the body 102and positioned to direct the atomized oil toward the wire rope 16. Asdescribed above, each nozzle 104 has a high pressure air line 110, a lowpressure air line 112, and an oil line 114. The high pressure air lineis used to activate a piston not shown that cleans the orifice in thenozzle. The low pressure air and oil lines are used to supply air andoil pressure from sources not shown to spray atomized oil on the wirerope.

One or more air jets 116 may be formed in the body 102 to blow debrisoff the wire rope 16 before it is lubricated. High pressure air issupplied through intake ports 117, which are in communication with asource not shown. An O-ring may be provided at the inner portion of thebody 102 around the intake ports 117 if necessary to provide the properseal. An exhaust manifold 118 may be provided and connected to a vacuumsource not shown for removing the debris loosened by the air jet 116.The exhaust manifold 118 is connected to ports 120 provided on the body102.

A seal 126 may be provided at each end of the body 102 and between thecleaning section and the lubrication section. The seals 126 arepreferably formed from a compliant material such as rubber or acylindrical brush. The seals serve to minimize the amount of debris thatenters the body 102 and the amount of excess lubrication fluid thatescapes the lubrication section.

Chain or cable 122 is used to secure the clamshell device 100 to astationary structure 124. The lateral flexibility provided by the chainor cable is necessary if the device is mounted near the spool thatstores and pays out the wire rope.

Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made within thescope of the inventive concept herein taught and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. A wire rope lubrication apparatusfor lubricating the wire rope on a crane that passes over the sheaves ona sheave block, comprising: a. a bracket mounted on the sheave block; b.an air atomizing nozzle mounted on said bracket; c. a supply oflubrication fluid in communication with said atomizing nozzle; d. acompressed air source in fluid communication with said atomizing nozzle;and e. means for controlling the supply of fluid to said atomizingnozzle, comprising: i. a fluid pressure regulator positioned betweensaid supply of lubrication fluid and said air atomizing nozzle; and ii.an air pressure regulator positioned between said compressed air sourceand said air atomizing nozzle.